Ironman Kansas 70.3 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Started at the back and right of my wave. Was very worried with such a large group, announced at 280. Cannon went off. Put my face in the water and it took my breath away. Swam for about 100 yards with my head out of the water. Saw one swimmer in trouble with the boat coming to get him. After about 100 yards finally found my stroke. Moved to the inside of the bouys. Started to take it one bouy at a time. Made the first turn and rounded nicely. About half way down the back had a couple of huge belches and farts and really felt a lot better. Felt like I was cruising nicely for me on the backstretch. Started to have a few cramps in the calfs on the way in. Exited the water to my roaring cheering section.

More training.

Felt like an OK transistion. Suit came off pretty good. Jersey and garmin on. Helmet, glasses and shoes on. My spot was near the center of transition. Seemed like a long run from my spot.

Move faster. Put on jersey and number belt under wetsuit.

Got on my bike and felt good surviving the swim. Got up to speed and worked on having a good ride. Decided to keep the candence in the low 80's and heart rate in the low 140's to save myself for the run. Felt good coming over the dam. On the second climb I dropped the chain and had to stop and put it back on. Lost a little time there. Stopped at the first aid station to pee. Rode a really comfortable ride. Legs felt good during the whole ride. Stopped at mile 25 to fix my race number which had come off of one side of my race belt. During the last 10 miles was accused of drafting by another rider who was passing both me and the woman in front of me. I wasn't intentionally drafting. I would just catch her on the downhills a little and she could pull away on the flat's and uphills. After the accusation I stayed behing her for the rest of the race out of principal. Felt like I had a great ride and could have pushed it harder.

More training and new bike, otherwise happy with the ride for the training level I was at.

Space was squeezed by two other bikes who got there first. Otherwise transition went good.

Be faster so that I have more space around me.

This is where the wheels came off. Came out of transition feeling great. Headed out to begin and my legs just didn't want to go. Thought this would be temporary but it wasn't. Legs just felt like they didn't have any energy at all. Ended up doing the walk/run routine. Talked with some really nice people in the same boat I was in. Did promise myself to not quit and to keep moving forward. Ran the last half mile and was great to hear Mike Reily call my name.

More training.

Talked with family and friends and took pictures.


Training.


Sitting here four days post race I feel better about the race than I did on Sunday. I see that under training reared it's ugly head. I was really bummed out by my run on Sunday. I thought I could have done much better.

I sit here ready to rededicate myself to training. I am needing to really focus on training and make it more of a priority. I also need to lose some much needed weight. Would love to be down 20-30 pounds by this time next year.

I really want to thank my family, friends and all here who have supported me. It was a great adventure I have taken from complete couch potatoe to finishing a half ironman. I now look forward to becoming a competitor instead of just a participant.